After doing my basics I see that 1st Gen has the pin issue, 2nd Gen the 53 Block issue and 3rd Gen appears to be favored.

I'm looking for a nice 2500, 4x4 would be nice, and 3rd Gen is where I'm going...it appears.

I noticed not much activity here on classifieds so I'll be shopping locally and Craigslist.

Excellent site with great info, thanks to all that make it happen.

 

first and early second get has the pin issue. late second gen some have 53 blocks, others do not. there are 53, 55, 56, and "STORM" blocks.

also not all 53 blocks crack. My truck has a 53 block with just shy of 245k miles on it with no cracks and it is right on the heels of 600hp/1300tq...

as for 3rd gens they have a far worse problem that can happen...cracked injector tips... a cracked injector tip is very dangerous on a common rail as that injector is all that holds back 18-20k+psi of fuel pressure. once it cracks and starts leaking it starts uncontrollably fueling in that cylinder during all 4 strokes of the piston cycle and could end up melting down that piston or filling the crank case with fuel.

other minor problems can be HVAC blend door issues which 3rd gen diesel and gas trucks alike are plagued with. Particularly with the dual climate control trucks..


Every generation has their quirks. 1st through 3rd gen gas and diesel alike all have junk steering. and apparently 4th gens "fix" has been having issues with broken tie rod ends. So really there will be something you will need to fix from all generations but once you fix whatever issue that generation has, it will be a great engine

there are even 53 block engines that are in the million mile club with no cracks in the block.


the KDP can be tabbed in first and second gen 12v motors to prevent the issue.

upgraded lift pump and fuel pressure gauge will solve 95% of vp44 issues on the 2nd gen 24v

upgraded lift pump, tighter fuel filtration system (2-3 micron instead of the 7-15 micron stock filter) and a rail pressure gauge will help prevent cracked injector tips on 3rd gens.

 

My 08 was running closer to 30k rail pressure.

A buddy's 5.9 common rail (iirc with stacked boxes) ran away from him and melted down the engine.

I'll stick with my dash-less 2nd gen 12-valve, thanks.

 

Good stuff, thanks for the input folks. I don't mind working on a machine I just dont want to get into a 3-10 thousand maintenance issue. This is my 1st diesel and I would like to do my homework and buy it as my last.

I'm an older guy, have the cash and the time so now just doing the research.

Thank you again

 

Like I said, every generation has their quirks. Fix the quirks in that generation and they will be great engines.

Hopefully you don't get a lemon like I did.

Don't get me wrong: my engine has been great. It's the rest of the Dodge around it that has been the trouble maker...I've got more money into my truck than I paid for it, and I paid 13k for it 6 years ago. Have about 30k or so into it. at least 7k of that was in repairs. The rest was in performance upgrades and supporting mods. Don't think I even counted the sound system in that. That's another $2000 or so... (4x component speakers, 10" subwoofer, sub amp, 4-channel amp, navigation deck, reverse camera)

 

Heh. Here's what I've got in my 12-valve

Purchase price 2012 $6000
initial trans build - $1000 parts, $200 gift card for labor
Valve springs, gov springs, AFC springs, fuel plate, exhaust brake, radio, airdog retrofit, fluids, airbags, hitch, this and that, $4000ish
Second trans build and first half of 4wd conversion - $1000
sport headlight conversion - $300

I think that's about all I've got into it.

lol

So I'm at about $12,500. Not bad I guess.


My 08 I bought in 2010 for $30k, put $5000 into airdog/programmer/maintenance/deletes, then $7k into the trans, $2500 in accessories (which moved to my 98).

 

I feel better already, and I'm older than dirt..............K.

My purchase was also in the 6's.........and up to about 9k now. Lucky I guess (24v). Acutaly, our community's best kept secret helped with my
savings.

I would not do a 12v without his backing and support (maybe even his spare motor).

 

Yeah, I'm picking up a 4x4 here real soon for another $500, trans has been removed and I'm going to give the guy the engine and rear end out of it (he's giving me a d70 in place of the 80) but I'll get the rest to part out and keep as spare. Then I'll just need to acquire a 5 speed swap for it, then a turbo.

I figure I'll probably have close to $20k into my truck eventually, but it'll be mine.